Tags Posts tagged with "Film"

Film

Catch an outdoor screening of Spider Man: No Way Home at Deepwells Farm County Park in St. James on Aug. 18.
PROGRAMS

Owl Prowl Thursday

Visit Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown on Aug. 18 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. to meet and learn about some of their resident owls. Embark on a walk into the darkness to enjoy the night. Wear bug spray and bring a flashlight just in case. Open to families with children ages 5 and up. $15 per person. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. Call 979-6344.

Dance Party

It’s time to dance! The Village of Port Jefferson concludes its Children Shows series at the Jill Nees Russell Performance Stage at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson with A Little Bit of Magic Dance Party on Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Free. Bring seating. Visit www.portjeff.com.

Candy Twisted Balloons

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, King Park presents The Candy Twisted Balloon Show on Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. Part of Long Island State Parks Summer Entertainment, the show is a combination of comedy, crazy magic, and audience participation. You won’t want to miss the grand finale when Candy climbs inside the biggest balloon you have ever seen. $10 vehicle use fee. Call 269-4333 for more info.

Picture Book Making Workshop

The Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook presents a Children’s Picture Book Making Workshop with Bonnie Connelly for children ages 5 to 8 on Aug. 22 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. All needed materials will be provided. $20 per participant. To register, visit www.rebolicenter.org or call 751-7707.

Concert in the Park

Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket concludes its summer program series with a Kids for Kids interactive concert by the LIYD Music Club on Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. Meet at the Red Barn for a morning of fun in a beautiful place! Free. No registration necessary. Call 689-6146 for more information.

Build a Pirate Ship

Shiver me Tuesdays! The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents a  Pirate Ship Workshop every Tuesday in August from 2 to 4 p.m. Adults and kids can design and build a unique pirate ship model from a variety of wooden materials and more during this drop-in program. Complete your craft with a Jolly Roger! Bring your imagination. Kids, bring your adults for supervision. Admission + $10 participant. Questions? Call 367-3418.

FILM

‘Spider Man: No Way Home’

St. James Chamber of Commerce invites the community to Deepwells Farm County Park, 497 Route 25A, St. James for a screening of  Spider Man: No Way Home on Aug. 18 at 7:45 p.m. (rain date is Aug. 25). Free. Bring seating. No pets. Call 584-8510.

‘Encanto’

Northport-East Northport Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force will host a Family Movie Night at Northport Village Park on Aug. 18 at 8:30 p.m. with a free screening of Disney’s Encanto. Bring seating. First 50 attendees will receive a free lawn blanket. Call 516-361-6540 for more info.

‘Shark Tale’/’Finding Nemo’

The 5th annual Farmingville Flicks Movie Series continues with Finding Nemo on Aug. 18 and Moana on Aug. 25 at the Local Church, 1070 Portion Road, Farmingville at dusk. Presented by Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce and Sachem Public Library. Bring seating. Free but registration is required by visiting www.farmingvillechamber.com.

‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’

The Cinema Arts Cenre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema For Kids series with a screening of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on Aug. 21 at noon. The peaceful Valley of the Wind is nestled on the edge of the Toxic Forest and led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, whose love of all living things leads her into terrible danger, as she fights to restore balance between humans and nature. Featuring the voices of Alison Lohman, Uma Thurman, Patrick Stewart, Edward James Olmos and Shia LaBeouf. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children. Call 423-7610.

THEATER

‘Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical’

From Aug. 5 to Sept. 3, the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East Main St., Smihtown will present Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical from Aug. 5 to Sept. 3 with one special performance on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown on Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. Trixie, her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny set off on a trip to the laundromat. The trip brings wonder, excitement and joy to the lively toddler until she realizes that she has lost Knuffle Bunny. Filled with adventure, song and dancing laundry, it’s the perfect show for a family-friendly outing! Tickets are $18. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Junie B. Jones The Musical’

Children’s theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport with Junie B. Jones The Musical from July 23 to Aug. 28. Sneak a peek into the “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal” of the outspoken and lovable Junie B. Jones! Based on the top selling children’s book series, this upbeat musical follows the spunky Junie as she navigates through the ups and downs of her first day of 1st grade. All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Catch a screening of 'Mission Joy' at Theatre Three on Nov. 15. Photo from PJDS

This calendar first appeared in print in the Arts & Lifestyles section of TBR News Media.

* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.

Thursday Nov. 11

Veterans Day

Veterans Day Parade

VFW Post 395 in St. James invite the community to their annual Veteran’s Day Parade at 10 a.m. The parade will step off from the intersection of Lake and Woodlawn Avenues in St. James and march to the St. James Elementary School for a ceremony. Questions? Call 250-9463.

Veterans Day Ceremony

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a Veterans Day ceremony at the Sound Beach Vets Memorial Park on New York Ave., Sound Beach at 11 a.m. All are welcome. For further information, call 744-6952.

Veterans Day Observance

In commemoration of Veterans Day 2021, American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244 will conduct its annual Veterans Day Observance at 11 a.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Park, at the corner of Pulaski Rd. and Broadway in Greenlawn. For more information, call 516-458-7881 or e-mail [email protected].

Veterans Day Ceremony

VFW Post 3054 of Setauket hosts its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Setauket Veterans Memorial Park on Shore Road and Route 25A at 11 a.m. All are welcome. For more information, call 751-5541.

Free admission to Vets at LIM

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook remembers, honors and thanks all the men and women who have served and who are currently serving. As a tribute, the museum is offering free admission to all Veterans and their families today from noon to 5 p.m. Call 751-0066 for further information.

Starry Nights concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents Starry Nights, a magical evening of music with artistic director and cellist Colin Carr in the Recital Hall at 7 p.m. The evening will feature the Schumann Piano Quartet, pieces for guitar ensemble, and even some African drumming. Tickets range from $44 to $48. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Friday Nov. 12

Opera Stars of Tomorrow

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts presents Opera Stars of Tomorrow in the Recital Hall at 8 p.m. featuring Eugene Onegin: Tchaikovsky/Act I Scene I, Le nozze di Figaro: Mozart/Act II Finale, La Gioconda: Ponchielli/ Act II Scene & Duet,  Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Rossini/Act Two Trio,  Rosenkavalier: R. Strauss/Final Trio, and La Clemenza di Tito: Mozart/Act Two Scene X. Tickets are $10 general admission; $5 students and seniors online at www.stallercenter.com or at the door. 

Saturday Nov. 13

History Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a History Hike from 9:45 a.m to 1 p.m. While the main purpose of this hilly, moderately paced 6-mile walk is to relax and socialize, stops will be made to discuss some spots of historic interest. Bring lunch and drinking water. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.

Autumn Holiday Bazaar

Siena Village, 2000 Bishops Road, Smithtown holds its Autumn Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Shop for holiday gifts, jewelry, homemade cards, a Gold Table with slightly used items, food, cakes, drinks, raffles and more. Call 360-6000 for more info.

Holiday Craft Fair

St. James Lutheran Church, 230 Second Ave., St. James will hold a Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring over 50 dealers with hand and needle crafts, folk art, wood items and more. There will also be a raffle for a handmade quilt, baked goods, homemade soups and refreshments. Admission is free. For more information, call 584-5212.

Garage Sale fundraiser

Celebrate St. James will hold a garage sale fundraiser today, Nov. 14, 20 and 21 at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Lots of treasures including books, lamps, sporting goods, lightly used clothing, collectibles, fishing equipment and more. For more information, call 984-0201.

Holiday Bazaar 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25A, Rocky Point holds its annual Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring holiday handcraft items, Grandma’s Attic (gently used holiday themed items), bake sale, and food. Free admission. Call 744-9355.

Second Saturdays Poetry 

Join All Souls Church in Stony Brook for a virtual Second Saturdays Poetry Reading via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Virginia Walker.  An open reading will follow. All are welcome to read one of their own poems. To register, visit www.allsouls-stonybrook.org. Call 655-7798.

Superheroes of the Sky

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown hosts a family program, Superheroes of the Sky, from 11 a.m. to noon. Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about bald eagles, turkey vultures, owls, hawks and many more. Fee is $10 adults, $5 children under 12. Register at www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Taylor and Alison Ackley

Saturdays at Six concert

All Souls Church, 61 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Saturdays at Six Concert series with a performance by Alison and Taylor Ackley, partners in life and in music. Founders of the Deep Roots Ensemble, the rich sound of their two-part harmony singing brings songs old and new to life in a way that feels both timeless and remarkable. Free but donations accepted. Bring a can of food to donate to a local food pantry. Call 655-7798.

Sheléa in concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes Sheléa in concert in the Recital Hall at 8 p.m. An oasis of sultry sound in the age of Auto-Tune, Sheléa is a unique artist who blends traditional pop, jazz, R&B, and soul. Tickets range from $50 to $54. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Sunday Nov. 14

Garage Sale fundraiser

See Nov. 13 listing.

Sunday at the Society 

In correlation with the Northport Historical Society’s ‘Immigrants of Northport and East Northport’ gallery exhibit, a ‘Stamp Your Passport’ event will be highlighting Greece at the Society’s headquarters, 215 Main St., Northport from 1 to 3 p.m. The owner of the Northport Sweet Shop, Pete Panarites, will be presenting a history of his restaurant, famous clientele, and other interesting facts along with a concert by the Northport High School’s chamber orchestra to our event as they play music live at our Carnegie Gallery. Tickets are $5, members free. Register at www.northporthistorical.org.

Pianist Nadejda Vlaeva. Photo from Facebook

Pianist Nadejda Vlaeva in concert 

Ridotto, concerts “with a Touch of Theater,” presents the critically acclaimed pianist Nadejda Vlaeva in Recital at the Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m.  The pianist returns to Ridotto with a program of Chopin, Scriabin, Bortkiewicz, Liszt and more. Tickets are  $12 (student), $20 (members), $25 (seniors), $30 (general admission). The hall is handicapped accessible. For reservations, call 385-0373, or [email protected]

Monday Nov. 15

An evening of Chamber Music

Stony Brook University.s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents Chamber Music on an Autumn Evenings in the Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. featuring works by Dvořák, W. A. Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven,  Free admission. For more information, call 632-2787. 

Tuesday Nov. 16

SBU Orchestra concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents the University Orchestra’s Chamber Orchestra and Concerto Orchestra concert on the Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. Conducted by Susan Deaver, the University Orchestra will perform music of Bartok, Gershwin, Schubert, Villa-Lobos and concertos by Sibelius and Beethoven.The featured soloists are the Winners of the 2020 Stony Brook University Undergraduate Concerto Competition — violinist Ethan Forman who will perform the first movement of Sibelius Violin Concerto, and pianist Victoria Wen who will perform the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor.” Admission is $10 at www.stallercenter.com or at the door.

Wednesday Nov. 17

‘Anything But Silent’ event

Join the Cinema Arts Centre for an online screening of “Chicago” (1927) with live piano accompaniment by Ben Model at 7 p.m. Like the musical Chicago that won the Best Picture Academy Award and five other Oscars in 2002, this original 1927 version descends from a 1926 hit Broadway play by Maurine Watkins. Long believed to be a lost film, but a perfect print survived in Cecil B. DeMille’s private collection. General admission is pay-what-you-want. To register, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Thursday Nov. 18

Whaling Museum Trivia Night

Join the Whaling Museum of Cold Spring Harbor for an online music-themed night of trivia at 7 p.m. From whale song to sea shanties to cricket chirps to Mozart to Broadway to the Beatles to Beyonce, join them for a tune-filled evening with trivia questions about music in film, television, art, nature, and history. For adults. Free to play, $10 donation appreciated. To register, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

An evening of jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents the Bad Little Big Band in concert at 7 p.m. Led by pianist Rich Iacona, the 12-member band performs music of the Great American Song Book and original compositions and arrangements written by band members accompanied by vocalist Madeline Kole. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students, $10 children. For tickets, visit www.thejazzloft.org. For more info, call 751-1895.

Native American Drumming

All Souls Church Rectory, 5 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Please call 655-7798 for more information.

Film

‘Mission Joy’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series concludes its Fall 2021 season with a screening of Mission Joy — Finding Happiness in Troubled Times at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. The film is a profound and jubilant exploration of the remarkable friendship between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Inspired by the international bestseller, The Book of Joy, the documentary welcomes viewers into intimate conversations between two men whose resistance against adversity has marked our modern history. Followed by a Q&A with co-director Peggy Callahan via Skype. $10 per person at the door. For more information, visit www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.  

Theater

‘All Together Now!’

Star Playhouse, Stage 74, at the Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack presents Music Theatre International’s “All Together Now!,” a global event celebrating local theatre, on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. The venue will be joining thousands of theatrical organizations around the globe for this one-night only performance. The event will highlight songs from beloved Broadway musicals, and will feature appearances by Broadway stars in addition to local talent. Tickets are $55 in advance, $60 at the door. To order, visit www.starplayhouse.com or call 462-9800 x-136.

‘White Christmas’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its MainStage season  with White Christmas from Nov. 11 to Jan. 2, 2022. Based on the beloved film, this heartwarming adaptation follows vaudeville stars and veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis as they head to Vermont to pursue romance with a duo of beautiful singing sisters. This family classic features beloved songs by Irving Berlin including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is The Ocean” and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. Tickets are $80 per person on Saturdays, $75 other days. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘A Christmas Carol’

Join Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for the 37th annual production of A Christmas Carol from Nov. 13 to Dec. 26. Celebrate the season with Long Island’s own holiday tradition and broadwayworld.com winner for Best Play. Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the true meaning of Christmas — past, present and future. A complimentary sensory sensitive abridged performance will be held on Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. $20 tickets in November; December tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com

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CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

Photo from Huntington Choral Society

In lieu of the Huntington Choral Society Winter Concert and in the hope of a brighter 2021, HCS is pleased to present a short film presentation entitled, A Holiday Gift from Huntington Choral Society viewable from December 23rd on at www.huntingtonchoralsociety.org and on their Facebook page. Visit either, relax, and enjoy their gift of beautiful music.

“HCS has had a productive virtual fall semester on Zoom during which we spent time bolstering sight reading and music theory skills; studying lyrics; rehearsing chorales from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Ferko’s Trois Chansons, and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms; developing our vocal technique; and enjoying well-reputed guest speakers, Dr. Rollo Dilworth and Professor Barbara Fusco-Spera. We look forward to our spring semester, which holds at least some promise for face to face rehearsals,” said Director Dr. Jennifer Scott-Miceli.

Marisa Vitali, creator of “Grace,” speaks after the screening of the film. Photo by Victoria Espinoza

Community members from all around the Huntington area packed into the John W. Engeman Theater on Tuesday night for a premiere screening of “Grace,” a short film about heroin recovery.

Marisa Vitali, the film’s creator and a Northport native, based the film on her own struggles with drug addiction and rehabilitation.

“I would have never been able to do this without all of you,” Vitali said after receiving a round of applause once the film ended. She shot the motion picture in Northport, primarily at Tim’s Shipwreck Diner, and used members of the community as extras in the film.

During the unveiling, Vitali said she realized that she has been clean for 14 years, four months and four days, to the day.

“I am so grateful,” she said. “I am so grateful I didn’t wake up dope sick today and I am so grateful I didn’t have to use. Everything else is just a blessing on top of that.”

She then spoke to the people in the room who may be currently going through the same challenge or have a loved one who is.

“I’m sure there are people here who are struggling, who don’t know where to go … but I want to let you know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We do recover.”

The event was hosted in partnership with the Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force. Profits from tickets, food and raffle tickets sold at the event went toward the Youth Directions and Alternatives, a nonprofit organization serving communities throughout Huntington by developing services and sobriety programs for youth in the communities.

According to Anthony Fernandino, chair of the task force, the event had raised $7,500 before raffle ticket proceeds were counted.

Fernandino has been working with Vitali for almost four years trying to get the event together and was ecstatic to see it all come together.

“It feels great,” he said before the screening. “We sold out and exceeded our expectations. I’m excited because we have a house full of people that we will be able to educate and bring awareness to this issue.”

Northport Mayor George Doll, who Vitali said was a vital part of making the film, was proud to be a part of the event.

“This is a fantastic thing,” he said. “We have people coming here all the time to do films, but hers was special.”

Northport Police Chief Bill Ricca agreed that it was a unique and important approach to combat addiction.

“From a law enforcement standpoint, we can’t arrest ourselves out of this problem,” he said. “We need the community’s help, we need treatment, prevention, and education.”

After the film, there was a question and answer portion in which audience members asked Vitali about how she first got into drugs, got clean and continues to live a healthy life. Barry Zaks, director of Huntington Drug & Alcohol Counseling Center, also answered questions on how and when parents should start having conversations about drugs with their kids.

From left, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murry and Harold Ramis in a scene from the original ‘Ghostbusters.’ Image courtesy of Fathom Events

Who you gonna call?

Thirty-two years after “Ghostbusters” took the world by storm, Fathom Events and Columbia Pictures invite you to a special screening of the 1984 “Ghostbusters.” Tickets are now available for audiences to revisit the classic in select cinemas on Wednesday, June 8 — the anniversary of the original release date — and Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time (both dates).

The film is being re-released in anticipation of the worldwide release of the new “Ghostbusters” starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth in theaters July 15 and will include an exclusive sneak peek of the remake.

Participating cinemas in our neck of the woods include AMC Loews Stony Brook 17 (631-941-0156), Island 16 Cinema de Lux in Holtsville (631-758-9100) and Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas (1-800-315-5000). For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.

Alan Ruck, Mia Sara and Matthew Broderick star in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’ Image from Fathom Events

It’s time to save Ferris … again! Still as hilariously irresistible as the day it was released in 1986, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” returns to cinemas for two days only this May, just in time for its 30th anniversary.

The iconic ’80s film will return to select theaters across the country on May 15 and 18 in honor of the anniversary.

Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) present John Hughes’ venerated comedy as part of the TCM Big Screen Classics series. Audiences can take the day off to join Ferris, Sloane and Cameron in more than 650 theaters nationwide for two screenings each day: at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time.

In our neck of the woods, screenings will be held at Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas, AMC Stony Brook 17 and Island 16 Cinema de Lux in Holtsville. Tickets may be purchased online at www.fathomevents.com or at the box office.

A scene from ‘The Finest Hours.’ Photo from Walt Disney Pictures

By Rich Acritelli

Last week Walt Disney Pictures released “The Finest Hours,” a film based on the story of four Coast Guard members that braved a nor’easter that caused havoc off the coast of Cape Cod in 1952. From the beginning, you will notice an impressive cast that works well together to bring this story to light. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film stars Chris Pine (Boatswain’s Mate First Class Bernard “Bernie” Webber), Casey Affleck (Robert Sybert), Holliday Grainger (Miriam Pentinen), Ben Foster (Seaman Richard Livesey) and Eric Bana (Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff). 

Gillespie depicts the simple life of the 1950s with the customs of enjoying a nice drink, meal and the chance to attend a town dance. This film starts by showing Coast Guard service member Webber as an easy going and hard-working man who goes on a blind date with Miriam Petinen. While they are opposites, they fall in love with each other.  The movie depicts a different kind of love with Miriam asking the cautiously mannered Bernie to marry her. After an awkward moment, he states that they will get married, but only after he receives permission from his commanding officer.  As Webber works on getting approval from Chief Cluff, a terrible storm hits the shores of Cape Cod. 

Gillespie does a good job in casting Bana who is a proven actor who could handle the rigors of military films (“Black Hawk Down,” “Munich,” and “Lone Survivor”). Before Webber can ask for approval, Cluff is faced with anxiety from two different fronts.  First, he understands that a rescue operation for the SS Pendelton is being conducted from the headquarters in Boston, but he is unsure how his men fit into the rescue endeavor. Second, he is a southern officer who has not yet gained the respect of these northern men who openly doubt his professional abilities.

As rescue efforts are mounted, Webber is ordered to take three Coast Guardsmen to search for the Pendleton.  It is believed that this is a suicide mission that will only lead to the death of these men. Webber has to maneuver through hazardous waters in a vessel that is too small to handle the fury of these poor maritime conditions. 

The film does a masterful job of showing the strains that are placed on these men to locate this ship. They display a comradeship that never losses focus of their objective to locate the Pendleton.

With Webber organizing the rescue efforts, the Pendleton and its crew is commanded  by Sybert played by Affleck who is masterful in showing a man who is conflicted by his superior knowledge of this ship, but a man who is deemed to be a loner.

It becomes apparent that the ship will sink after it is split in half by the storm.  Sybert refuses to accept his crew’s position that they should abandon ship in their small rescue boats. He firmly states that they will be killed from the rough waters. Sybert believes that they have to run the tanker ashore if they are  going to have any chance of seeing their loved ones. At the same time, Webber’s crew is risking their lives to reach the Pendleton: Their compass malfunctions from the multiple times that their ship takes on water from the tenacity of the massive waves.

Unflinchingly, Webber is faithful to his duty to find the Pendleton and save the crew of thirty-two men from drowning.

The film concludes with the residents  of Cape Cod helping Webber bring the men to safety. Members of this community along with Webber’s fiancée figure out the location of the tanker and they travel to a nearby dock where they turn on all of their car lights as beacons of hope to guide the rescuers to safety.  From start to finish, “The Finest Hours” portrays the devotion of the Coast Guard to overcome the gigantic weather strains that are caused by Mother Nature.

‘The Finest Hours,” rated PG-13 (for intense sequences of peril), is now playing in local theaters.

Cinema Arts Centre photo by Victoria Espinoza

Looking for a more exclusive way to enjoy movies in Huntington? The Cinema Arts Centre has just the fix.

The Preview Club is a new program opening in March that will allow a select amount of people to attend advance screenings of new films before their New York release dates.

David Schwartz, chief curator of the Museum of the Moving Image in Manhattan, will be curating the program and will also design the program from audience feedback. After every show, a guest speaker — for example, the producer of the movie — will lead a discussion with the audience related to the film shown. The audience will also be given cards for comments, which will aide Schwartz in his development of the program going forward.

Preview-Card-Raj-wThere is a maximum of 270 members allowed in the club, and Raj Tawney, director of publicity and promotions at the Cinema Arts Centre, said the club already has about one hundred members after just announcing the program last week.

“The exciting part of it is you as an audience member won’t know what you’re seeing until you sit down in the theater,” Tawney said in a phone interview.

The films shows will be a range of major independent and international movies and will be shown about once or twice a month.

The first showing is Mar. 16, and the following few include April 16 and 27.

The Preview Club is not only a ticket to new movies but also a social club meant for fellow film lovers to interact.

Jon Cryer and Molly Ringwald in a scene from ‘Pretty in Pink.’ Photo from Fathom Events

The 1980s teen classic “Pretty in Pink” turns 30 this year and Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures invite you to celebrate the cult film’s 30th anniversary when it returns to 575 select cinemas nationwide for a special two-day event on Sunday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

John Hughes’ romantic comedy-drama film about love and social cliques in 1980s American high schools first arrived in theaters on Feb. 28, 1986, and secured the No. 22 spot on that year’s list of highest box-office earners by grossing $40.5 million over its 14-week run.

“It is exciting to celebrate 30 years of Pretty in Pink by showing it back in movie theaters for Valentine’s Day,” John Rubey, the CEO of Fathom Events, said in a statement. “Many from this generation have never seen it on the big screen and now they have two very special chances.”

Featuring outstanding performances by Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Jon Cryer, James Spader, Harry Dean Stanton and Annie Potts plus a phenomenal rock soundtrack, “Pretty in Pink” is a funny and bittersweet love story that stands the test of time.

In our neck of the woods, screenings will be held at Island 16, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville; AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, 2196 Nesconset Highway, Stony Brook; and Farmingdale Multiplex 1001 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale.

Tickets are available online at www.FathomEvents.com and at participating theater box offices.

Introduces new film club, among other events

Above, a few of the many exhibits on display at The Whaling Museum. File photo

By Rita J. Egan

Celebrating 80 years of the Whaling Museum Society, the staff at The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor is busy organizing and preparing activities for its milestone anniversary, which will include a Film Club and Whaleboat Chats.

It was 1936 when the Whaling Museum Society was founded, according to the museum’s executive director Nomi Dayan. Town residents organized the society to recognize the rich whaling heritage in the area where John H. Jones and Walter R. Jones started the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Company, which operated from 1836 until 1862.

“We thought this is a special year to recognize this important part of Long Island’s history,” Dayan said.

’There’s truly something for all ages here at the museum’ — Nomi Dayan, Executive Director of The Whaling Museum

It took the society until August of 1942 to open the official museum, which came together when members were able to secure a whaleboat from the brig Daisy. Dayan said the ship was built in Setauket in the late 1800s and was used in the last sail-powered Yankee whaling exhibition on earth. It was due to Long Island scientist, and one of the society’s founders, Robert Cushman Murphy, that the group was able to take ownership of it. Murphy, an ornithologist, started out on a journey on the Daisy planning to study the birds of Antarctica and during the trip decided to document whaling and later published the book “Logbook for Grace.”

The executive director said the staff is hoping “to get more adults in the building” with a few new programs. She said many adults walk into the museum to look around but don’t participate in the programs. This hope led to the launch of the museum’s Film Club, which will take place every Thursday at 2:30 p.m. during the months of February and March. Dayan said the viewings are free with paid admission to the museum or membership and will include free popcorn. The selection of films varies with both classic movies such as “Ship of Fools” (1965) and “Moby Dick” (1956) as well as contemporary ocean-themed films “Free Willy” (1993) and “Noah” (2014).

Dayan said it was felt that a film club would be popular after the successful museum event where six actors performed vignettes from the book “In the Heart of the Sea” in the whaleboat. She said it seems that adults enjoy films and live performances more than other activities.


A scene from ‘Moby Dick.’ Photo from The Whaling Museum A scene from ‘Moby Dick.’ Photo from The Whaling Museum

—Film Club schedule—
◆ Feb. 4: ‘Ship of Fools’ (1965)
◆ Feb. 11: ‘Noah’ (2014)
◆ Feb. 18: ‘Free Willy’ (1993)
◆ Feb. 25: ‘Moby Dick’ (1956)
◆ Mar. 3: ‘Whale Wars’
◆ Mar. 10: ‘The Whale’ (2015)
◆ March 17: ‘Treasure Island’ (1950)
◆ March 24: ‘Master & Commander’ (2003)
◆ March 31: Jacques Cousteau

On Fridays at 2:30 p.m., the museum will be offering Whaleboat Chats, which are free with paid admission to the museum or membership, too. Educators will be on hand to chat and answer visitors’ questions. “We found that when people come and visit whenever we have an educator present to talk about what they’re seeing, it tends to make their visits just so much more meaningful,” Dayan said.

On Feb. 19 the chat will be in honor of Black History Month and focus on the contributions that blacks made to the local whaling industry. In addition, on March 18 for Women’s History Month, the talks will center around the sacrifices of the whalers’ wives. Dayan said while many spouses stayed at home when their husbands were out at sea, others traveled on the ships with them and even gave birth during the trips. There were also many wives who were left to wait for long periods at far off ports, especially Hawaii.

“There are such interesting and different relationships that came about from this whaling culture,” she said.

Among other events, the museum staff is currently planning Thar She Blows, which will be held on Sunday, March 20, from 12 to 3:00 p.m. During this event, visitors can carve scrimshaws, hear live sea shanties and historical tunes, as well as touch authentic artifacts and get their faces painted.

On Sunday, April 17, there will be free admission for SoundOff! from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be the first of its kind in Cold Spring Harbor and will focus on building awareness of the Long Island Sound conservation through hands-on activities. Museum visitors also will be able to explore how the whaling era launched the country’s conservation movement.

For adults there’s the Whales, Ales and Salty Tales on Thursday, May 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. The night will consist of the stories of whalers and their sea-brews. Alan Short, who specializes in sea shanties, will sing the whalers’ songs while visitors enjoy beer sponsored by the Brewers East End Revival.

“There’s truly something for all ages here at the museum,” Dayan said.

In addition to the events and programs being planned, the year 2016 marks the release of the book “Whaling on Long Island” written by Dayan and published by the museum through Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. According to the executive director, the book, scheduled for release on March 28, can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

Dayan said during 2016, the museum also will be conducting membership drives with different incentives, including the initial membership price of a dollar. New members can take advantage of the offer when they purchase a second year at the 2016 cost of $40 for individuals and $75 for families.

The executive director said it’s a great year to become a member. “We’ve recently transformed ourselves. Instead of just being about only whales and whaling, now we’re more about the relationship between people and the environment. Because if you think about it whaling is a very strong cautionary tale about how people treat each other and how people treat the environment, and we’re trying to pick up on those themes,” Dayan said.

Admission to The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and children. Event and program fees vary. For more information about the museum, located at 301 Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor, call 631-367-3418 or visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.